society

We’re all afraid of change. It snatches away what is comfortable and controllable. But the way things are are not always the way things should be. It can be a battle to change the way things are, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. We need to stand up and make the world better. It’s better die on your feet than to live on your knees.

There’s so much noise in our heads about who we should be, most of it being others’ expectations and norms. But we can’t live life by someone else’s rules and we shouldn’t have to fit in someone else’s box. It can be hard to sift through all the noise, but somewhere buried deep you’ll find your own voice, your own thoughts and your own feelings. Take a moment and ask yourself: When are you at your best? When are you the happiest? When do you feel most comfortable? Who are you when no one is watching? Who are you when you don’t give a damn? What do you love about yourself? What would you like to be better at? There are no right way to be. But there is a right way to be you, and that’s just to be yourself, whoever that is. Be aware of it and let it vibrate through you. There’s no other way to be.

Sometimes the brightest stars are hidden behind the clouds. It’s become a pattern for us to compare ourselves to others. It’s become a pattern to focus heavily on our inabilities or failures. And it’s become a pattern to downplay our capabilities or achievements. We keep ourselves from shining brightly because we don’t think, we don’t believe, we’re good enough. But we are. We need to know that. We need to start sharing everything we have to offer. We need to be proud of ourselves. We need to have faith in ourselves, in the weird and wonderful ways that make us who we are. We need to start spreading our light to those who sit in the darkness. Don’t shut it out. Break those patterns and break the clouds.

It’s ok to live life out of sequence. It’s ok to live life back to front. It’s ok to live life off beat. There are no rules, no expectations, no destinies, except the ones we impose on ourselves. Live the life you want to live, regardless of the labels others try to place on you. To live life to the fullest, we sometimes have to take a leap of faith or take a second chance. And that might seem strange to others, but it doesn’t matter, as long as it feels right to you. Don’t let the misleading idea of ‘normality’ stop you from being who you want to be and doing what you love. It’s ok to live a life others don’t understand.

As the year draws to a close, we should ask ourselves: how well do we know ourselves and how are we honouring what we know? What are our strengths and have we been using them? What are our weaknesses and have we come to terms with them or turned them into positive actions? How do we feel, emotionally and physically? What do we want out of life and are we letting something or someone stop us? No matter what our answers, there’s scope to pledge to get to know ourselves better this upcoming year. We have so much to offer and so much to share. We have so much potential. And ultimately we are the only ones responsible for our lives, not anyone else. We shouldn’t let anyone dictate what we do or who we are. We shouldn’t be pretending to be someone else. We decide and we can change our minds. Let’s guide ourselves on our own magical journey and thrive.

As much as we’re affected, moulded, and influenced by those around us, we also have the same effect on others. So we all have a responsibility to do so positively and unconditionally. The smallest of words or actions can boost someone’s self-love or pick up someone’s mood. We can encourage someone to pursue their aspiration or inspire someone to aim higher. We can empower others to take control of their lives by relinquishing ours over them. Be an example. Be a catalyst. And bring out the best in others. They might be the leader, innovator, and partner of tomorrow.